Florida State survives own mistakes, defeating Boston College 69-66

Seminoles escape the Tuck with a win led by guards Michael Snaer and Devon Bookert

Feb. 16, 2013

Okaro White (10) drives to the basket during the Florida State, Boston College men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013. The Seminoles defeated the Eagles 69-66 in the ACC matchup. / Riley Shaaber/FSView

Written by

David Walker

Conributing Writer @JDavidWalker

Florida State beat Boston College 69-66 for their 14th win this year in a game that wasn't decided until the final second ticked off, despite the Seminoles being up six points with just fewer than two minutes to go Following a Boston College missed three-pointer (a rare occurrence in this game as they went 9-16 3PT FG from behind the arc), Michael Snaer dribbled the ball up the court, trying to kill time, and then as he made his move to drive to the hoop, he inexplicably turned the ball over. This led to a foul by Devon Bookert who chased down the fast break, a block of an Okaro White shot, another ill-advised foul by Terry Whisnant. Then, up by two points, Whisnant stepped to the line with the potential to seal the game with two free throws. His first attempt clanked off the rim, his first miss at the line all year. He swished the next one, but a defensive breakdown by the ‘Noles led to a wide-open three point shot that, had it fell, would have tied the game.

It’s safe to say that FSU was lucky to escape that game with their 14th win on the season.

But a win’s a win and the Seminoles will take it in whatever way they can. FSU’s guards were getting into the paint with ease and either finishing at the rim (the ‘Noles finished the game with 30 points in the paint) or kicking it out for open jumpers. Both Okaro White and Michael Snaer in particular benefited from these open looks. Snaer was working off the ball a lot more than usual, leaving the ball handling duties to freshman Devon Bookert, who responded with a career-high eight assists and no turnovers.

“I always felt Devon was our true point guard of the team,” said Okaro White. “He just should what he showed all summer. I believe this is a big confidence booster for him, stepping up and the way he played today.”

Despite this early offensive success, Florida State grew to comfortable and started settling for jump shots instead of driving and grew lazy on defense, especially in terms of defending the three point line.

This defensive malaise continued in the second half and, despite shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 80 percent from three, kept letting Boston College back into the game. The Golden Eagles like to shoot threes and on average 31.7 percent of their points every game comes from beyond the three-point line. This game they made nine three-pointers and that accounted for nearly 41 percent of their points. Boston College’s offense hinges on their ability to score from the three and FSU kept giving the open shots, especially to freshman guard Oliver Hanlan, whose three made three pointers were all wide open (he finished with 19 points on 6-13 shooting).

Florida State fought there way back as the two veterans, Okaro White and Michael Snaer, reversed their roles from the first half. White became something out of Boston College’s nightmares, absolutely destroying them in the post for 13 point, eight boards, a block and a couple of monstrous dunks. Snaer used the respect he has as a spot-up shooter to pump fake his way into the lane and get to the rim, and had perhaps his most efficient game this season with 21 points on 8-10 shooting. Even more impressive was his work on the boards (6 total rebounds) and his consistent defensive energy, being one of the only FSU players to have kept it going throughout the entire game.

In the end, the ‘Noles won a game they were supposed to win, but showed the encouraging signs of a team finally showing consistent energy and effort for the non-Miami and Duke type elite teams. The rebounding was not as big an issue in this game as it has been in the past and both Devon Bookert and Terry Whisnant continue to show signs of improvement. Whisnant has been spacing the floor with three point shooting and providing the 'Noles a lift defensively and Bookert showing his ability as a pure point who can set up teammates.

Florida State is now 14-11 (6-6) and heads to Raleigh, NC to take on another ACC opponent in North Carolina State.